Public services hit with staff shortages as schools re-open today
The Omicron variant is having a big impact on public sectors across the UK
Public services are bringing in emergency plans amid increased staff shortages caused by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The NHS, transport, education and utilities sectors are among the industries suffering, with at least six hospital trusts declaring critical incidents which may threaten priority care.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday (Monday 3 January) that he would "make sure that we look after our NHS any way that we can".
Though, health leaders expressed the "state of crisis" that the NHS was in, while chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson said: "a number of trusts across country have declared internal critical incidents over the last few days".
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, one of those affected, reported that their "extreme and unprecedented" staff shortages will likely result in "compromised care."
Omicron's impact across sectors
Some pupils return to the classroom today, with new advice for those in English schools to wear masks and be tested twice a week.
However, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi says schools should be prepared to merge classes into large groups if staff shortages mount.
"What we're saying is, look, with Omicron, because it's so infectious, we want to make sure that we give you as many tools to be able to make sure that education is open", he said.
But he admitted it was "more challenging, of course, to deliver education with masks on in the classroom".
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "It's hard to imagine that if the NHS is being affected, that retail is being affected, if sporting fixtures are being affected, it's hard to see why you wouldn't in schools and colleges have the same issues around staff shortages."
Boris Johnson admitted the conditions for learning with masks were not ideal but, the education secretary said, "the most important thing is to keep them (schools) open."
Relentless Covid figures
High numbers of Covid-19 cases across the UK have similarly caused disruption to bin collection and rail services, which have also been affected by industrial action.
It's as 157,758 new people reported a confirmed positive test result in England and Scotland as of 9am on Monday 3 January, latest Government figures revealed.
A further 42 people had died in England within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, while Office for National Statistics data shows there's now been 174,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Visiting a vaccination centre on Monday, the Prime Minister acknowledged the pressure staff were under and said it was "vital that we make sure that we help them by trying to contain the pandemic" by getting vaccinated and following plan B measures.
What are the Government's 'Plan B' measures for England?
Face coverings
Face coverings have already become an added feature of our lives since they were reinstated at the beginning of December, but from Friday 10th December face masks will also be needed indoors in places like cinemas and theatres.
Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be "further extended" to "most public indoor venues" including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: "There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."
Working from home
Under the rules of "Plan B", the government has reimposed the need to work from home where possible in order to stem the spread of the virus. This guidance comes into place from Monday 13th December.
Nightclubs
Under the government's "Plan B" , COVID passports will become necessary to get into all nightclubs. This is due to the close proximity people would be to each other in the venue and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Indoor spaces
Indoor settings that have more than 500 people unseated will require a COVID Pass to enter. Examples of settings that would need attendees to have a COVID Pass would include music venues and large receptions.
Outdoor events
Outdoor events are not exempt from using COVID Passes either. Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people will need people to have a vaccine pass. This includes outdoor music festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival.
Stadiums
COVID Passes will be needed to get into any event that is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. This would include major sports events such as football matches, as well as music concerts in arenas.
The Prime Minister said: "The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
"And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient."